Calendar

8:30 a.m.    Registration

9:00 a.m.    Welcome: Dean David A. Logan & Federal Judge William Smith

9:05 a.m.    Opening Remarks: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

AGENDA
 
In popular and political discourse, the United States Constitution has become a visceral symbol of civic faith, fundamental values and national character – placing it at the center of the 2012 elections in a way it has rarely been before.

Among Republican presidential candidates, Newt Gingrich argues that courts are usurping the Constitution, Rick Perry calls Social Security unconstitutional, Ron Paul calls the EPA unconstitutional, and all assert that the health care reform law is unconstitutional. The Tea Party movement paints President Obama’s policies as not merely wrong, but unconstitutional
and fundamentally un-American. Further to the political left, however, many participants in the Occupy/ 99 Percent movements also proclaim a constitutional vision of “We the People.” Lawyers and judges, meanwhile, generally understand the Constitution as a discrete legal document, comprised of technical terms that have been construed over generations to establish a complex set of doctrines.

The resulting dichotomy between “popular” and “legal” readings of the Constitution raises a host of important questions: Should the Constitution’s meaning be determined solely in courts? If not, what should be the role of public opinion? How do the two streams influence one another? Using a broad range of historical, theoretical and philosophic perspectives, top legal experts from both ends of the political spectrum will examine the meaning and implications of the constitutional rhetoric that plays a pivotal and ever-increasing role in contemporary American politics.

Moderator Jared Goldstein, RWU Law	Keynote Speaker Senator Sheldon Whitehouse U.S. Senator, Rhode Island	Keynote Speaker Jack Balkin Yale Law School
Confirmed speakers include: Carl Bogus RWU Law	Steven Calabresi Northwestern University	Elizabeth Price Foley Florida International
William Forbath Texas	Douglas NeJaime Loyola of L.A.	Rebecca Zietlow Toledo
Lawrence Solum Georgetown	Ilya Somin George Mason	Mark Tushnet Harvard

6.5 Rhode Island C.L.E. credit hours, includes 0 ethics credits. 

CLE MATERIALS

The program is complimentary, however registration is required. 

• There is limited seating available in the main lecture room.  There will be overflow rooms with livestream available to those with confirmed registration only. 
• We are currently maintaining a waitlist for the event. 
• A boxed lunch will be provided to all registered participants.

We regret to inform you that the conference is full to capacity.  We appreciate your interest and understanding with this matter. 

Please contact the Office of Alumni, Programs & Events at lawevents@rwu.edu or (401) 254-4659 with any questions.